Google to roll out free ‘speedier’ WiFi at 7,000 Starbucks stores in the US

Google has announced a tie-up with Starbucks that will see all 7,000 of the coffeehouse giant’s company-operated stores in the US receive free Google-powered WiFi.

Starbucks, of course, already offers free WiFi via AT&T, but with the roll out that’s taking place over the next 18 months, the Internet giant says that customers will get speeds “up to 10x faster” than before. This also sounds very much like AT&T has been given the elbow by Starbucks.

It’s worth adding here that if you’re in a Google Fiber city (Kansas), this speed will jump up to 100 times faster.

“Google has long invested in helping the Internet grow stronger, including projects to make Internet access speedier, more affordable, and more widely available,” says Kevin Lo, General Manager, Google Access.

“The free Internet connection at Starbucks has become an important part of many communities over the years, such as in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, or for students without Internet at home who do their homework at Starbucks.”